Lazio sanctioned for Kalidou Koulibaly racist abuse

Milan: Lazio have been slapped with a fine and face stadium restrictions for their next two league games after fans of the Italian capital club targeted Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly with racist monkey chants.

Senegal international Koulibaly was the victim of the abuse in a 2-0 win over Lazio on Wednesday, when the match referee Massimiliano Irrati was forced to halt play for three minutes. While fellow players from both clubs rallied round the French-born Koulibaly in the aftermath of the incidents, Serie A officials acted quickly to sanction Lazio on Thursday.

The Rome-based club have been handed a 50,000 euros ($56,000) fine and will see the entire Curva Nord (North End) of the Stadio Olimpico closed to fans for the next two league encounters.

A statement from Serie A said: "Lazio are fined 50,000 and will play their next two games with the Curva Nord, Tevere Nord and Monte Mario sections of the stadium closed to fans."